Plaid Cymru’s ‘renewable revolution’ would empower Welsh communities

Plaid Cymru would ensure communities benefit from Wales’ natural resources on the path towards energy independence

Plaid Cymru’s ambitions to achieve greater energy security and net zero by 2040 would ensure communities benefit from their natural resources, Plaid Cymru has said.

On a visit to community energy charity Awel Aman Tawe yesterday (Wednesday 15 April), Plaid Cymru candidates Nerys Evans and Sioned Williams emphasised their party’s unequivocal support for renewable energy and their ambition to see more renewable energy created in Wales at the benefit of Welsh communities.

Plaid Cymru’s manifesto, released last week (Thursday 9 April) outlined plans to unleash Wales’ renewable energy potential.

Action on renewable energy has stalled under Labour with industry sources describing it as “ten years of minimal development activity in the sector”.

The Plaid Cymru candidates said that Wales’ communities had been ‘let down’ by Labour’s refusal to devolve the Crown Estate after a majority of Welsh Labour MPs voted against Plaid Cymru’s motion to transfer the powers over Wales’ natural resources.

Plaid Cymru’s manifesto, outlines the steps they party would take to achieve energy independence, including:

• Develop a National Energy Strategy, mapping Wales’s current and future energy needs and setting out a clear, long-term plan for the infrastructure required to meet them.
  
• Create a new Renewable Energy Sector Deal that will coordinate action between government, the renewables industry, further and higher education, communities and trade unions, while providing clearer planning requirements and firm, predictable consenting timelines for renewable energy projects.

• Create a single, strengthened national energy company with more clout, greater capacity to grow community ownership of renewable energy, and a clear remit to help reduce energy bills over the medium to long term.
  
• Create a Wales Wealth Fund, capturing a fair share of profits from Welsh renewables to invest in community-led projects in areas like housing and energy.

Williams and Evans criticised Reform UK’s, stance on climate change and renewable energy, accusing them of planning on taking our planet backwards.

Plaid Cymru candidate for Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd, Sioned Williams, said:

“The need for greater energy security in Wales has never been clearer. Unlike the climate change deniers and the Putin apologists in Reform, we know that the transition to Net Zero and to greater energy self-sufficiency in an era of increased global insecurity aren’t optional.

“Wales is a nation full of untapped potential. From tidal power to wind energy, Wales’ natural resources could make us a world leader when it comes to the green transition, powered by renewable energy.

“Despite this potential the failure of governments in London and Cardiff to embrace the endless possibilities of our natural resources means the people of Wales are paying some of the highest energy bills in the UK.

“If elected on 7 May, a Plaid Cymru Government would make Wales a world leader in renewable energy while also make sure that Wales’ communities benefit from our natural resources.

“Projects such as Awel Aman Tawe are perfect examples of how the transition towards renewable energy can secure benefits to local communities, ensuring profits stay locally – something that is central to Plaid Cymru’s ambitions.

“Where Labour has simply refused to give Wales power over our own natural resources, Plaid Cymru will never stop fighting for the devolution of the Crown Estate to ensure profits from Welsh resources stay in Welsh communities.

“That is the choice facing people in May’s Senedd election – a brighter, greener future with communities at the centre under Plaid Cymru, or the further decimation of our climate under Reform.”

Plaid Cymru candidate in Sir Gaerfyrddin, Nerys Evans, said:

“Plaid Cymru knows that the status quo is not as good as it gets for Wales. Labour’s stalling on energy development means too little support is given to communities to develop energy projects, and energy bills are sky-high and ever rising.

“To ensure Welsh communities benefit from Welsh resources, a Plaid Cymru government will create a new Wales Wealth Fund that will support community energy, affordable and energy-efficient housing, and essential national infrastructure.

“Plaid Cymru has the plans and policies in place to ensure Wales’ untapped potential is released so we can reach net zero, whilst also empowering local communities to benefit from our renewable revolution.

“In an increasingly unstable global situation, working towards energy independence is vital to support communities with the cost-of-living. While Reform cheer on Trump, who is furthering global instability with his attacks on Iran, Plaid Cymru is focussed on improving the lives of the people of Wales.

“Plaid Cymru offers new leadership for Wales that will always have Welsh communities at the heart of all decisions we make. Finally Wales would have a government that always stands up for our communities – a government that has real plans to empower our nation and unleash our potential.”